Applications now open for nursing scholarships

Marshfield Clinic's Baccalaureate Nursing Scholarship Program will continue its tradition of supporting quality patient care by once again funding multiple awards totaling $3,000 for nursing students in their last two years of study.

Any junior or senior year full-time student enrolled at a Wisconsin bachelor of science nursing program is eligible for a scholarship as long as he or she is accepted at a Wisconsin BSN, maintains a "B" average or better during all post high school courses, has at least junior standing as of fall 2012 and lives in Marshfield Clinic's service area or has a first-degree relative working at the Clinic.

A junior student receiving this scholarship may also reapply the following year contingent on maintaining a "B" average.

Marilyn Follen, R.N., M.S.N., Institute for Quality Innovation & Patient Safety administrator, serves as chair of the scholarship committee. She said she recognizes the growing need for nurses and their valuable role as part of the health care team.

"As Marshfield Clinic continues to position itself as a national leader in quality care, we continue to develop our care delivery systems to support our growing chronic care patient population. Marshfield Clinic's Patient-Centered Medical Home care model will utilize the skills of the entire delivery team, including a growing number of RNs," Follen said. 

This scholarship not only demonstrates the Clinic's support of future nurses in their efforts to complete their baccalaureate degree, but also gives the Clinic the opportunity to let these individuals know about the types of nursing opportunities that exist in an ambulatory care setting.

"The future is very bright for nursing in general and particularly at Marshfield Clinic," Follen noted.

Other committee members include Douglas Reding, M.D., M.P.H., FACP, Marshfield Clinic vice president; G. Joseph Kilsdonk, Au.D., Division of Education administrator; Gary Plank, Pharm.D., Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Education director; and Erin Venne, Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Center clinical staff educator.
 
Last year's scholarship winners were Amanda Jo Mlsna of Spencer, Kelly Opelt of Neillsville and Megan Blanchard of Marshfield.

Applications for nursing scholarships are due by Monday, March 19.  For further information, call Deanna Burt at ext. 7-5133 or email burt.deanna@mfldclin.edu.